Liverpool recorded a win against Bolton at Anfield this afternoon, and showed a resilient second half display to snatch all three points.
All eyes were on Hodgson at kick off as rumours surrounding the manager continued to escalate, with reports of FSG (formerly NESV) actively scouting a replacement for Hodgson gathering pace in the media.
Hodgson made a number of changes coming into the game, with Agger coming in for Sotirios Kyrgiakos after long-term injury and Fabio Aurelio making his first premier league start under Hodgson, Konchesky having been omitted from the match day squad altogether. Maxi was also called up to play on the left-side of midfield, allowing Kuyt to return the right. However, the most surprising omission was that of Steven Gerrard, apparently left out due to ‘fatigue’ from the midweek game.
The game began with a nervy, tense fell – neither side able to take meaningful control of the game during the opening exchanges. Fernando Torres looked particularly off-colour early on, miscontrolling the ball and having a heavy touch on a number of occasions.
Miereles succumbed to injury early in the first half and was replaced by Gerrard with 21 minutes having been played – this later turned out to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise.
The best chances of the first half fell to Maxi Rodriguez – his first, a cross/shot rolling across the face of goal only to be cleared, and his second chance was a header just grazing the top of the bar. However, as has been the case with Liverpool a number of times this season, they found themselves a goal down to a set piece.
Fabio Aurelio gave away a cheap free kick down Liverpool’s left hand side, for a foul on Johan Elmander. Matthew Taylor delivered a curling left cross into the 6 yard box and Kevin Davies headed in on 43 minutes, unchallenged. Anfield fell silent. In all honesty it was poor defending with two Bolton men free at the far post and Reina, arguably, may have come to deal with it to prevent the cross from reaching its man.
Davies put Bolton ahead
For the remainder of the first half, Liverpool’s frustration grew and in particular Fernando Torres’s, who was lucky not to get away with a caution for a push in the face of a Gary Cahill following a challenge which he reacted to.
Just before the break Lucas squandered a golden opportunity to tie the game when Torres and Kuyt combined inside the area, Kuyt sending in a cross towards Lucas. The Brazilian scuffed his shot wide when in fact it looked easier to score.
The second half began brighter than the first, with Gerrard taking control of the midfield and on 49 minutes he combined brilliantly with Torres. N’Gog chesting down a ball to Gerrard who proceeded to lift the ball over the Bolton backline toward Torres who, from inside the box, volleyed home a sweet finish into the roof of the net. Anfield erupted and Torres looked jubilant. After the goal there were flashes of Torres at a level which he hasn’t been at for along time.
Torres celebrates having scored the equaliser
Anfield had once again found its voice and were urging the team to attack. However, they had to wait until the last few minutes of the game for the winner, and it came from 2nd half substitute Joe Cole, who had been brought on to replace David N’Gog.
In the 1st minute of time added on Gerrard picked up the ball deep in the Bolton half and sent in another deep cross aimed towards Maxi Rodriguez. It in fact came off a Bolton defender (fortunate since had it come off Maxi Cole may have been given offside) and from just a yard out Cole poked the ball home to score his first league goal for the game and more importantly the winner for Liverpool.
Joe Cole scores his first league goal for Liverpool FC
Overall, Liverpool deserved to win and the fight and spirit they showed having gone down a goal was something that has been missing for many months. In fact, it’s the first game that we’ve won after going behind since August 2009. Gerrard was pivotal to the win, running things in the second half and combining with Torres on a number of occasions, reminding the supporters of the lethal combination the pair had formed a couple of seasons ago.
The manager and players both looked delighted and relieved at the full time whistle as cheers rang round Anfield. I doubt the result will do much to change the minds of the board if rumours of a search for a replacement are true, and it’s probably a case of too little, too late for Hodgson – but hopefully the performance will give the players some confidence going into the next run of difficult games.
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